The neurobiology of stress throughout the life cycle

Jerald Kay

pp. 35-58

in: Thomas W. Miller (ed), Handbook of stressful transitions across the lifespan, Berlin, Springer, 2010

Abstract

The study of stress is one of the most exciting areas within neurobiology and cognitive neuroscience. There has been a dramatic increase in scientific knowledge about physiological, anatomical, genetic, molecular, immunological, and psychological characteristics of adversity and its extraordinary ability to influence human development throughout the life cycle. Advances in the study of learning and memory, attachment, psychological trauma, and gene X environment interaction, to name a few, have created an increasingly sophisticated appreciation of biological, social, and psychological factors comprising the response to and impact of life's challenges. This chapter will review recent contributions from studies among different fields and elucidate significant issues yet to be understood.